What an honor it is to be asked to participate in the launch of the 30th Anniversary Edition of the #1 business book of the 20th century!
And what a treat it is to talk to the son and namesake of the author himself, Mr. Stephen M. R. Covey.
I can honestly say, if the Read to Lead Podcast were to come to an end after today, I would be at complete peace with that.
Why? Because today I am privileged to conduct what is arguably the single most important interview of my 30+ year career.
Not only is Stephen M. R. Covey an accomplished author in his own right (with a New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book under his belt), but he’s agreed to field questions from a handful of those impacted by his father’s book over the years.
By “those impacted” I’m talking about you! That’s right. Every question I’m posing to Stephen was submitted by a listener to the podcast.
I’ve been a fan of today’s guest for several years and have probably watched over 100 of his YouTube videos. So, when the good folks over at Readwise reached out about making an introduction, I was elated.
I’m talking about the world’s most-followed productivity expert, otherwise known as the one and only Ali Abdaal.
Ali has written a brand new book that was released this past December, and I am delighted to feature it, and my chat with Ali, in this week’s episode.
We think that productivity is all about hard work, Ali says. That the road to success is lined with endless frustration and toil. But what if there’s another way?
Ali, though, has uncovered an easier and happier path to success. Drawing on decades of psychological research, he has found that the secret to productivity and success isn’t grind – it’s feeling good. If you can make your work feel good, then productivity takes care of itself.
Armed with Ali’s insights, you won’t just accomplish more. You’ll feel happier and more fulfilled along the way.
I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Ali and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.
In 2021, when my book was released, I was invited shortly after to speak to a group at LinkedIn. LinkedIn staff were kicking off year two of their book club, and had chosen to do so with Read to Lead.
My invitation to join that group came from Dan Horowitz, LinkedIn’s senior director of LinkedIn ads. It was a great experience.
In The Power of Clarity, Ann Latham exposes the unrecognized confusion and explains how to eliminate it. This fascinating guide to workplace productivity and effectiveness draws upon extensive research and case studies to demonstrate how you can get better results in far less time while also increasing confidence and commitment.
Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Ann and her book.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, communication is a crucial aspect of success. It enables individuals to collaborate, share ideas, and complete tasks efficiently. However, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and decreased productivity. To overcome these obstacles and improve communication in the workplace, it’s essential to understand the barriers that exist and implement effective strategies and techniques.
Barriers to Communication
Communication barriers are anything that obstructs the flow of information between individuals or groups in the workplace. They can take various forms, including language differences, cultural differences, and technology issues. For example, language differences can make it challenging to communicate effectively, while cultural differences can impact nonverbal cues and communication styles. Technology can also create communication barriers, such as unreliable video conferencing software or internet connections. When communication barriers are present, they can negatively impact productivity, morale, and overall job satisfaction.
Overcoming Communication Barriers
To overcome communication barriers, organizations need to prioritize communication and make it a key part of their workplace culture. Encouraging active listening, using clear and concise language, and promoting a positive and open workplace culture can help improve communication and enhance job satisfaction. Additionally, technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing communication and collaboration, but it’s important to ensure that everyone is using the same tools and establish clear expectations for communication.
Improving Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is an essential aspect of effective communication in the workplace. To be effective, it must be clear, concise, and involve active listening. To improve verbal communication skills, you should avoid distractions, ask questions, and summarize key points after a conversation. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance their ability to communicate effectively in the workplace.
Improving Written Communication
Written communication is also a crucial aspect of effective communication in the workplace. To be effective, it must be clear, concise, and avoid ambiguity. To improve written communication skills, use clear and concise language, proofread your messages before sending, and be as specific and concise as possible.
Encouraging a Positive Workplace Culture
Workplace culture plays a significant role in shaping communication in the workplace. A positive and open culture can foster effective communication and collaboration, while a negative or closed culture can create communication barriers and decrease morale. Organizations can encourage feedback, create opportunities for collaboration, and promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace to create a more open and inclusive culture.
Leveraging Technology for Improved Communication
Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, offering new tools and platforms for enhancing communication and collaboration in the workplace. From video conferencing to project management software, technology can help you and your team communicate more effectively, regardless of location or time zone. However, it’s crucial to ensure that everyone is using the same tools, establish clear expectations for communication, and encourage regular use of communication tools.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective communication is a critical aspect of success in the workplace, and implementing strategies and techniques to overcome communication barriers and improve communication skills can have a positive impact on productivity, morale, and job satisfaction. By prioritizing communication, encouraging a positive workplace culture, and leveraging technology, individuals and organizations can enhance their ability to communicate effectively and succeed in the modern workplace.
Just over four years ago, I interviewed my friend James Clear about his, then, new book Atomic Habits. Little did I know then that this book would rock the publishing world and become a worldwide bestseller.
I call it a modern-day 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, or How to Win Friends and Influence People, or Think and Grow Rich.
I had the chance to exchange messages with James over the weekend, and took the opportunity to congratulate him on his incredible milestone (I’d seen a recent post of his on Facebook about it). That milestone is 10MM+ copies sold.
In his post, James was quick to credit everyone else. More than anything he did, James said, it was simple, consistent, and passionate word-of-mouth by us, his readers, that was responsible for his book’s success.
Our exchange inspired me to honor this incredible milestone by revisiting the book in this episode.
This go ’round, I’m sharing an audio summary of Atomic Habits, the audio version of the same written summary I share with my members inside the Read to Lead Community.
By the way, if you’d like to receive a new written book summary every week, jump on over to my Community page and sign up for free. You get access to the Read to Lead Community, the chance to interact with other readers, and a new book summary each and every week.
And, if you’d like to check out my audio summary of Atomic Habits, just hit the play button below.
